Youth and Co-operatives
Youth have always been involved in co-ops. Robert Owen, founder of New Lanmark, believed in the importance of educating youth in co-operative principals and resultantly began one of the first co-operative education programs during the early 19th century. Many people who started the first rural co-operatives in Canada were no older than 25. Today youth are more involved than ever. Youth are members, employees, directors, and managers of co-ops.
Building Co-operative Futures - Annual Youth Conference
Building Co-operative Futures...in a carbon neutral world. June 2nd - 3rd, 2008
In May 2003, the BCICS hosted a forum for co-operatively minded young people. The word “young” has been used as an operative term, and although the conference was originally intended for people aged 18 to 25, those who have registered range in age from 17 to 44. Participants were involved in plenary sessions, workshops, and listened to “True Stories” about Canadian co-operatives. Active participation and interaction during presentations and in workshops contributed to the overall success of the forum. Facilitators include Greg MacLeod, of the University College of Cape Breton; John Restakis, Manager of BC Co-operative Association; and Linda Shaw and Mervyn Wilson of the Co-operative College, United Kingdom. The conference attracted over 70 people from a variety of countries, including: Canada, Colombia, Iran, Japan, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States. After 2003 the forum became an annual event.
- 2nd Annual (BCF 2004) hosted by the Rural Education and Development Association, Calgary, Alberta
- 3rd Annual (BCF 2005) hosted by the Saskatchewan Co-operative Association, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
- 4th Annual (BCF 2006) hosted by the The Co-operative College, Manchester, England
- 5th Annual (BCF 2007) hosted by the Ontario Co-operative Association, Guelph, Ontario
- 6th Annual (BCF 2008) hosted by the BC Co-operative Association and BCICS, Vancouver, B.C.
Publications:
Youth Reinventing Co-operatives - Volume 1
In 2005, the BCICS, in co-operation with the International Co-operative Alliance, the International Labour Organisation and the Canadian Co-operative Association, published a useful collection of stories about youth co-operatives from around the globe. The book has received rave reviews from readers aroud the world. In collecting stories, we had an overwhelming response from the international co-operative community providing us with many wonderful and inspiring stories, as well as excellent pictures. The result is over 40 case studies with valuable information for anyone interested in co-operatives and how they are being used by youth around the world today. The book is printed in a portable 6 x 9 layout, in full-colour, with over 120 pictures throughout.
Purchase a copy from our online store >>
From the back cover:
Youth Reinventing Co-operatives explores the ways in which young people think about
and use co-operatives to meet their economic and social needs. It features reflections
by young people (and a few recalling more youthful days) considering what
co-operatives mean for them and could mean for others. It provides a collection
of case studies on co-operatives in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and North
America in which young people play important roles; in many instances operating
the co-operatives. It gives examples of youth activities sponsored by a variety of
co-operative organizations. The book concludes with a series of recommendations
outlining how to further encourage young people to learn about and more effectively
use the co-operative model as they seek to shape the world in
which they live.
Thanks to everyone for the very positive feedback we have received. The book is now available in Spanish! Purchase your copy on Amazon. Special thanks to Mirta Vuotto, Universidad de Buenos Aires, for coordinating the translation and printing.
Youth Reinventing Co-operatives - Volume 2
Production for the second volume is in in the works. Visit http://bcics.uvic.ca/youthzone for information on the call for submissions.
Youth Co-op Zone Website
BCICS set-up the Co-op Youth Zone website following the first annual Building Co-operative Futures Youth Conference. It serves as host to online information for the BCF conference every year. The website also provides introductory information on the co-op model as well as links geared to youth. Based on the success of the Youth Co-op Zone website, the International Labour Organization awarded BCICS funding to: further develop website resources, enhance the website communication capacity, and assist with the site’s integration into the Co-operative Learning Centre. (Visit http://bcics.uvic.ca/youthzone/).
*More youth resources coming soon, including case studies.
